LETTER FROM PATRICK MURPHY AGAINST ALL ABOARD FLORIDA

Publish Date:

Thursday, September 11, 2014 - 7:15am

In July, I met with U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral John H. Korn to express my opposition to AAF and the serious maritime concerns our communities have with this project. Following that meeting, I sent a formal request for the Coast Guard to hold hearings throughout the Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches to hear directly from those who would be negatively impacted by the project and its effects on commercial and recreational maritime traffic, commerce, and safety.

Today, the Coast Guard announced two public meetings in Florida's 18th District as well as plans to conduct a navigation survey in relation to the Loxahatchee, St. Lucie, and New Rivers on Florida's east coast. Click here for more information on these public information meetings and how to participate in the Coast Guard's navigation survey.

As I shared with the Coast Guard in July, the prospect of 32 additional trains crossing the Loxahatchee and St. Lucie Rivers greatly concerns me. With draw bridges each approaching 100 years in age, additional closures may strain the mechanical systems past their limit and pose significant risk to recreational boating traffic, marine businesses, and emergency vehicle response times. That is why I am proud to stand with the thousands of residents who have voiced their opposition to AAF, and I applaud the Coast Guard for providing a venue to hear from affected residents across the Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches. I encourage the community to participate in both the survey and meetings.